TEMPLEGATE tackles the final day of the brilliant Newmarket July Festival hungry for winners.
Read on for our man’s tips and back a horse by clicking their odds.
AZURE BLUE (4.35 Newmarket, nap)
She landed a hat-trick of smart wins on the Rowley course here before pushing her form to another level by taking the Group 2 Duke Of York Stakes last time. She was always in control on the Knavesmire and kept finding when asked. She is more than capable of bridging this gap to Group 1 level and all going seems to come the same to Michael Dods’ filly.
REGIONAL (2.35 York, nb)
He has been in flying form and landed a big handicap over course and distance before stepping into Listed level for a smooth Haydock success. This is his best trip and there’s every chance of a hat-trick.
LONG TRADITION (3.10 York, treble)
He came back from an 18-month break to land a decisive win at Chelmsford last time. He tanked along and stayed really well against some useful rivals. He has some decent turf form too and could be well ahead of the handicapper under a 5lb penalty.
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Templegate’s TV verdicts
NEWMARKET
2.50
ROYAL DUBAI caught the eye when second on handicap debut at Chester last time.
He was doing his best work at the finish over 7f so moving up to a mile looks a wise move from a fair mark.
Sniper’s Eye almost hit the target here last time when second in a fair novice contest. He hasn’t been clobbered for this handicap debut and can take a step forward.
Tafreej didn’t have a lot to beat at Yarmouth but he travelled strongly and his rider’s claim takes care of his 6lb rise for that success.
Havana Blue is looking for a hat-trick after wins on both courses here. They both came over 7f but there’s no reason why he won’t see out the mile. The slight concern would be proper fast ground as he likes some cut.
3.25
CITY OF TROY looked a hot prospect when winning on debut at The Curragh earlier this month.
He saw out this 7f trip strongly and Aidan O’Brien runners usually improve a bundle from their first run. It will take a mighty effort to stop him.
Haatem ran well when fifth in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot. He finished off strongly so should appreciate this extra furlong.
Great Truth pulled well clear from his modest rivals when scoring on debut at Leicester.
This is a sharp hike in grade but trainer Charlie Appleby has won two of the past three runnings of this race. Spanish Phoenix is another who finished well in the Coventry so should improve over this extra furlong.
4.00
POPMASTER enjoyed himself dropped back to this trip when second at Newbury last time.
He was nobbled right on the line but he’s back from the same handicap mark. He has gone close in hotter races than this off bigger weights.
Awaal is interesting coming down in trip after some good runs over a mile. He was a good third in the Royal Hunt Cup last time so should be able to go the early pace.
Streets Of Gold caught the eye when third in the Jersey Stakes and looks progressive. He has a hefty weight but enough quality to figure. Biggles ‘won’ in his group of the Buckingham Palace Stakes at the Royal meeting but was only ninth overall.
He saves his best for this trip and has strong each-way claims with Ryan Moore up.
Montassib is another whose Buckingham Palace effort was better than the bare form.
He won over this trip on the Rowley course before that and won’t be far away. Star Of Orion has been knocking on the door and is respected.
4.35
AZURE BLUE landed a hat-trick of smart wins on the Rowley course here before pushing her form to another level by taking the Group 2 Duke Of York Stakes last time.
She was always in control on the Knavesmire and kept finding when asked. She is more than capable of bridging this gap to Group 1 level and all going seems to come the same to Michael Dods’ filly.
Shaquille performed a near miracle to win the Commonwealth Cup despite giving them all a five-length start at the stalls.
That was a scintillating effort but he needs to repeat it against more experienced rivals now.
Little Big Bear is not certain to run after missing some work but if Aidan O’Brien sends his Commonwealth Cup second, he would warrant respect.
Kinross is proven at this level but was below par at Royal Ascot and needs to bounce back.
Khaadem was an 80-1 shock winner of the Group 1 Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot. He would be a contender if able to repeat that effort but that’s a big ‘if’.
YORK
2.00
WILD LION showed his liking for the Knavesmire when winning well over 7f here last time.
That was his seasonal debut so he could improve fitness-wise and he showed good fight when challenged. His rider takes off a handy 5lb.
Eilean Dubh had something left in the tank when scoring at Hamilton latest and will be a threat from a fair 4lb higher. He is best over this distance.
Blue For You ran well here at the Dante meeting in May and can be forgiven a poor effort in the Royal Hunt Cup. This track clearly suits a lot better and he’ll be a big danger.
Aramaic is interesting taking a drop in distance after some solid runs at 1m2f. He has winning form at the track and William Haggas handicappers are always respected.
Scottish Summit ran well behind Wild Lion last time and is capable of hitting the frame at a fair price.
2.35
REGIONAL has been in flying form and landed a big handicap over course and distance before stepping into Listed level for a smooth Haydock success. This is his best trip and there’s every chance of a hat-trick.
Silky Wilkie was a bit unlucky to finish only second in the Epsom Dash and will be a major threat again.
Great State was a Listed winner at the May meeting here over this trip. He wasn’t beaten far at Sandown last time and is another with a big say.
Queen Me was a solid sixth in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup and a repeat of that form would make her a threat although she hasn’t won outside of maiden level.
Chipstead will be happier over this trip after not staying in the Wokingham latest.
3.10
LONG TRADITION came back from an 18-month break to land a decisive win at Chelmsford last time.
He tanked along and stayed really well against some useful rivals. He has some decent turf form too and could be well ahead of the handicapper under a 5lb penalty. He has a reasonable middle draw and can run another big race for Saeed Bin Suroor.
Sonny Liston was a good second in the Royal Hunt Cup over a mile and wasn’t stopping at the line. He has every chance of staying on what is just his third handicap run.
Haunted Dream is best over this distance and was a close second at Sandown last time. He is back off the same mark with solid place claims.
Sea The Casper had almost five lengths in hand when winning on the all-weather at Lingfield latest. He stays well and has improvement to come.
Nobel is another running on the back of an all-weather win at Newcastle. He can figure under a penalty.
At a big price, White Wolf didn’t get much of a run in a Royal Ascot handicap and will be happier over this shorter trip.
3.45
HAMISH should have the little bit of cut in the ground he needs to let his class tell.
William Haggas’s stayer won the Melrose here three years ago and has since been a regular scorer at Group 3 level, including at Chester last time.
Teumessias Fox was below his best at Royal Ascot but looked progressive before that and could be helped by this hike in trip.
Tashkhan is another who would prefer more juice underfoot to bring out his proven stamina. He ran well enough in a French Group 3 last time and won’t run out of petrol.
Get Shirty has been struggling for a while. He wasn’t disgraced at Royal Ascot but needs a few of these to falter.
One Evening ran well in a Pontefract Listed race 20 days ago. She could improve over this longer distance.
ASCOT
1.45
BOND CHAIRMAN got back to winning ways on his seasonal comeback at Doncaster last time.
He battled right to the line and has gone up just 3lb. He was second in this race 12 months ago and can make another bold bid.
Raasel has been holding his own in Group contests this season and the booking of James Doyle by trainer Mick Appleby catches the eye.
He likes this trip and can go close. King’s Lynn ran a decent race from a poor draw in the Wokingham here last time. He should find this a bit easier.
Vintage Clarets is in cracking form and followed a Chester win with a gutsy success at Newcastle. They were lesser races but he won them well and has place claims.
Rohaan has a solid Group race record over 6f and is interesting dropped back to the minimum trip. His liking for this track is a major plus.
Equilateral is down in class after a good fifth in the King’s Stand here latest. He’s not won in the UK for three years but could hit the frame.
Zarzyni ran a belter in the Epsom Dash last time and a repeat of that would give him every chance.
2.20
ANGEL BLEU had a rough race in the Queen Anne here last time and should find these waters calmer.
He had earlier impressed when scoring at Haydock and he was a Group 1 winner over this trip as a juvenile.
Master Of The Seas is best after a break and returns with trainer Charlie Appleby well and truly out of the doldrums. This trip is ideal and he’ll go close.
Jimi Hendrix hit all the right notes when running away with the Royal Hunt Cup here last time. His sights are raised but he certainly looked like a Group horse.
Aldaary is hard to assess. He was top class in 2021 but has had injury problems since. He is certain to come on for his comeback run here earlier this month.
Regal Reality did well to come from a mile back when winning at Epsom last time. He may just prefer 1m2f but can’t be written off, while
Mighty Ulysees is entitled to need this return from almost a year on the sidelines.
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